Occlusal plane recorder



J. 5. MILLER 2,772,477

UCCLUSAL PLANE RECORDER Dec. 4, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 24, 1952 James S. MzZZer Tin 1 24 j INVENTOR.

57 1 BY 1 1. 11 1/02.) M Y Dec. 4, 1956 J. s. MILLER 2,772,477

OCCLUSAL PLANE RECORDER Filed Dec. 24, 1952 V 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

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ATTORNEy Dec. 4, 1956 J. s. MILLER 2,772,477

OCCLUSAL PLANE RECORDER Filed Dec. 24, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 James S. Miller INVENTOR.

BY m w ATTORNE) Dec... 4, 1956 J. S. MILLER OCCLUSAL PLANE RECORDER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 24, 1952 'lll James S- 1% Her INVENTOR.

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HTTORNE) United States Patent OCCLUSAL PLANE RECORDER James S. Miller, Trenton, N. J. Application December 24, 1952, SerialNo. 327,723

Claims. c1. 32--32 This invention relates to devices, equipment and methods used in making artificial dentures, and more particularly the arranging of the artificial teeth in balanced occlusion, in relation to the condyle inclination obtained from a patient (commonly known as setting up the teeth), and recording such characteristics for the guidance of the dentist in making the dentures conform as precisely as possible to the natural inclinations of the right and left condyles in protrusion, as well as the lateral movements of the human jaw so that the artificial teeth will be in perfect balance in the forward and side movements of the lower jaw.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Serial No. 309,598 filed September 15, 1952, for improvements in Occlusal Plane Recorder, which application will now be abandoned Without prejudice, in view of its being superseded by the present application. i

Articulators have, heretofore, been developed with adjustable devices for recording certain characteristics such, for example, as the inclination of the condyles ofa patient, these being found by means of a ray of light, or other methods known to the profession, in cooperation with the patient for whom artificial dentures are to be made. However, so far as I am aware, no practical device or 'method has heretofore been developed for finding and recording the occlusal plane in harmony with whichever condyle inclination the dentist may obtain from the patient. The occlusal plane is the plane established by the occluding surfaces of the bicuspids and molars on both jaws in opposed relation. i

Moreover, as far as I am aware, no means hasheretofore been devised for finding and recording the lateral thrust of the teeth, which may be defined as the continuous pressure of one tooth against another in balanced occlusion in harmony with whichever condyle inclination the dentist may obtain from the patient in right and left lateral.

It is well known in the profession that one of the out standing difiiculties in the making of properly functioning artificial dentures has been due to the lack of mechanical facilities to aid the dentist in finding and recording the occlusal plane. In the process of making a positive record or guide for properly setting the teeth in artificial plates in balanced occlusion the dentist must first obtain condylar inclination from the patient, by methods such as those previously mentioned, and adju st the artificial condyles in the articulator to the inclination obtained. Heretofore, the only means available for translating the record of condyle inclination to the occlusal plane of the upper and lower artificial teeth has resided entirely in the skill of the individual dentist or dental; technician relying primarily upon unaided visual placement of the teeth. Frequently in artificial dentures so produced. the occlusal surfaces of the upper and lower teeth do not balance, andrecourse is thenhad to excessive grinding ice of the teeth, which finally, flattens the biting surfaces thereby greatly impairing or destroying their functions.

Likewise, the absence of any practical mechanical means of finding and recording the lateral thrust of the artificial teeth has further contributed to the objectionable conditions mentioned above.

Therefore, one of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide positive means for finding and recording the occlu sal plane in such a manner as to enable the. dentist to setthe teeth in either the upper or the lower denture plate on the precise occlusalfplane corresponding to that of the condylar inclination obtained from the patient.

Another, and important, object of my invention is to provide means for finding and recording the lateral thrust of the teeth in right and left lateral movement.

In the practical application of my invention, I have found it convenient to employ it in combination with an articulator of a type heretofore developed, in which means is provided for mechanically recording the inclination of the condyle, by means of a rayof light.

The plane of occlusion is obtained from whatever degree of inclination of condyle the patient records. The steeper the condyle inclination, the steeper will be the curve on' the plate of occlusion. The condylar, inclination in different personsmay vary from an angle of zero to 35 or more. Moreover, the angle of inclination on one side of the jaw, may differ widely from that of the opposite side of the jaw;

After condylar inclinations are found and recorded, by means of light, or other means used in association with an articulator, and theyartificial condyles of the articulator are adjusted or set to the degree of inclination obtained from the patient, the plane of occlusion is established by means of the present invention, in a manner which will hereinafter be described, to harmonize with the inclinations of the artificial condyles in the articulator.

During the same operation referred to above, and with the same articulator and recording device the lateral thrust of the teeth is established. 7

Some articulators are arranged for the upper member to. be movable, instead of the lower member. By movable, in this sense, is meant movable frontally and laterally corresponding to the movements of the iowe'r jaw of a patient as recorded or set in the artificial condyle of the articulator. My invention is equally well adapted to either type of articulator.

One embodiment of my invention is designed to establish the occlusal plane, the lateral thrust and the curve of the interior component on the movable articulator member, and after the artificial bicuspids and molars are arranged according to the plane so established they are transferred to a denture plane model mounted in the other articulator member, which is hinged but otherwise non-movable. The teeth may then easily be arranged in the second denture plate by using the first set as a. guide.

Other embodiments of my invention include the formation of the proper curves in bendable members, moldings or templates arranged for setting the teeth directly in either the lower or the upper artificial denture model, either in cooperation with or apart from the articulator used in recording the plane or curves referred to.

Another objectionable feature in artificial dentures as made heretofore has been that the two opposed rows of artificial teeth in the denture plate were diificult to place in horizontal alignment with each other. Misalignment of the teeth renders the occlusal action defective, even when the teeth are in harmony with the condylar inclination. Therefore, a further object of the present invention is to provide positive guide means for aligning the opposed rows of artificialbicuspids andmolars in the r 3 artificial denture plates in proper angular relation and alignment, as viewed in plan.

In the application of my invention in cooperation with an articulator of the type mentioned, I preferably utilize a rectangular plate of resilient material with means actuated by the articulator for curving the plate transversely to correspond to the occlusal plane according to the inclination of the artificial condyle in the articulator, which inclination was obtained from the patient, and also for forming a slight universal curve extending from the central portion of the plate corresponding to the lateral thrust The guide means for setting the bicuspids and molars is first adjusted to the desired angular positions, as will hereinafter be explained, and the artificial teeth areplaced on the surface of the curved sheet in accordance with the guide elements with the occlusal surfaces toward the plate. My invention includes means also for transferring the artificial bicuspids and molars in properly curved and aligned relation, to their corresponding locations in the model of the artificial plate hingedly mounted on the articulator.

Another advantageous feature of my invention is that the curves formed in the rectangular plate to guide the placement of the bicuspids and molars also extend outwardly from the bicuspids in conformity to the curve of the anterior component.

Therefore, my invention facilitates the proper setting of both posterior and anterior teeth in complete dentures and also in partial dentures.

, For certain conditions the resilient sheet and moldings may be made of transparent material to enable the dentist to see objects below them, but their function and action will be the same, irrespective of whether they are transparent or opaque.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following specification and reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an articulator with one embodiment of my invention applied thereto, and with a set of artificial bicuspids and molars on the rectangular resilient sheet; 1

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1, but with the tooth clamping devices broken away to show the teeth in side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a partial view similar to Fig. 2 and showing the tooth clamping devices;

Fig.4 is a fragmentary view of the rear end portion of the movable articulator member, showing its position before being adjusted to form the desired curves in the resilient sheet, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a spacer employed to hold the movable articulator member in a forward position;

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5, but with the movable articulator member omitted;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 88 of Fig. l, and showing the axial position of the hinge pintles of the movable articulator member when the latter is in its forward position, as shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showing the axial position of the hinge pintles when the movable articulator member is in normal position;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view of a guide for setting artificial teeth'on the resilient plate;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the rectangular resilient plate with connections for attaching it to the movable articulator member;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the support for the resilient plate;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail view showing one of the tooth clamping spring devices;

. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a yoke used for applying pressure to the resilient plate;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a modified central disc;

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing a method of making a molding from the curved resilient plate;

Fig. 17 is a detail view similar to Fig. 16, but showing another method of setting artificial teeth in the lower denture model;

Fig. 18 is a section taken on the line 18-18 of Fig. 17, and showing a top plan view of the template supporting plate;

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a portion of the plate and articulator member shown in Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a detail view similar to Fig. 17, but showing a modified arrangement of use of the resilient plate illustrated in previous views;

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the resilient plate and means for forming curves in the resilient plate, as shown in Fig. 20; and

Fig. 22 is a detail end view of one of the edge supports for the resilient plate.

Referring to the drawings in which like numerals designate like parts in the several views, the embodiment of my invention illustrated is employed in combination with an articulator of the type having an adjustable artificial condyle, with which the condylar inclination obtained from a patient, by means of a ray of light or other known devices, apart from the articulator, may be recorded by the artificial condyle in such a manner that the frontal and lateral movements of the lower jaw may be substantially reproduced in cooperation with a movable member of the articulator.

The articulator illustrated comprises a stationary base 10, a movable member 12, which is the lower member in the articulator, as illustrated, and a member 14, which is non-movable, except hingedly, each being provided with an opening or seat for the reception of a denture model used in the process of making a set of artificial dentures. The movable member is connected by rods 15 to a transverse shaft 16 having reduced pintles 18 at its respective ends. These pintles have rotatable and slidable bearing in slots 20 of members 22, which members are rotatably adjustable, through knobs 24 and lock nuts 26 to fix the angle of the slots 20 in conformity to the condylar inclination of the patient for whom artificial dentures are to be made, as indicated by the pointers '28 on degree graduations (not shown) on the outer surfaces of the stationary arcuate flanges 30. The pintles 18 are normally held against the closed ends of the slots 20 by means of spiral springs 32, as more clearly shown in Fig. 9. When in the normal position the rear end portion of the movable articulator member 12 rests against the stationary base 10, as shown in Fig. 4. Both the lower and upper members 12 and 14 are connected to a rotatable head 34 mounted on a shaft 36 journaled in the base 10 and provided with a device (not shown) for locking it in any desired position. This construction enables the dentist to change the relative positions of the two members for certain purposes. The lower member 12 is provided with an incisive post 38 the lower end of which may be seated in a universally tiltable cup element 40 which limits the downward movement of the lower member. This post is vertically adjustable, and when first set, with the rear end of the member 12 nor,- mally against the stationary base, the tiltable cup is in a vertical position in alignment with the post 38. As shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings the lower member 12 is in a forwardly extended position for purposes of my invention, which will hereinafter be explained.

In the sense meant in the specification and claims and as generally recognized in the dental profession, any articulator of the type combined with an artificial condyle is provided with only one movable member, that being the one which is manually movable frontally and laterally in various directions to correspond to the natural movemerits of the lower jaw of a patient for whom artificial dentures are to be made. In the articulator illustrated, 12 indicates the movable member. The other member, 14, as illustrated is only hingedly movable in one direction, and not movable frontally and laterally.

The artificial condyle as meant in the specification and claims, and as recognized in the profession, consists of the mechanical means combined with an articulator to control or guide the movements of the movable articulator member in conformity to the natural lower jaw movements of the patient. Such mechanical means in the form illustrated include the rotatable members 22 having therein the slots 26 and also the transverse shaft 16 which is connected by rods 15 to the movable articulator member 12 and is provided with end pintles 18 which are rotatably and slidably mounted in the slots 20, as already described.

Recording the condylar inclination of a patient on the articulatbr as'meant in the specification and claims, and also as recognized in the profession, consists in setting the degree of inclination of each of the slots 20 to con form to that of the corresponding condyle of a patient. as already described. The pintles 18 in the slots 20 will then compel all movements of the movable member 12 to follow the natural movements of the lower jaw of the patient from whom the condylar inclination was obtained. Various devices known to the profession may be employed for obtaining the degree of condylar inclination from a patient. Since such devices form no part of the present invention none are shown in connection therewith.

In order to facilitate a clear understanding of my in vention, it should here be explained that the operation of recording the occlusal plane, lateral thrust and anterior component curves, to be described, actually consists in forming such curves in a relatively thin resilient plate 42"in conformity to the condylar inclination obtained from a patient and set up on the artificial condyle of the articulator. After the desired curves areformed in the plate the artificial bicuspids and molars are loosely arranged in proper relative positions on the curved plate with the occlusal surfaces toward the plate, each tooth being clamped or otherwise temporarily fixed in arranged relation on the plate and subsequently transferred by means of a wax coating or other means to the denture rfriodel in the upper articulator member in precisely the same relation and with precisely the same planes of obclusion and lateral thrust established by assembling them on the curved plate. The anterior component comprising the six front teeth is assembled in a denture model, mounted in the hinged upper member 14 and brought down upon the plate for settling to the proper curve as a guide in properly locating the adjoining rows of bicuspids and molars. The plate may be made of transparent plastic material, as illustrated in the drawings or any other suitable resilient material. It is essential that the articulator base be fixed in a level position, and that the resilient plate be level longitudinally of the plate.

' In the embodiment of my invention illustrated the resilient plate 42 is supported on the articulatorframe 44 by means of a pair of spaced rods 46 and 48 carried by a support 50. The frame 44 is supported at its front end on a pair of spaced rods 45, which are vertically adjustable in sockets 47 mounted on the base 10. The central member 52 of this support is removably clamped in the articulator frame by means of screw actuated clamps 53, shown in Fig. 1. Mounted upon the member 52 are support members 54 having slidable headed screws 56 projecting through slots 58, said screws having apertures through which guide rods 60 project. These rods may be clamped in any desired angular and spaced relation by means of nuts 62. The rods may be provided at their inner ends with projecting pins, or pointers 64 which cooperate with graduations 66 on each end of a cross bar 68 comprising part of the support 50. Graduations 70 may als'obe' formed on the edges of the support member 54. The graduations referred. to facilitate the spacing of rods 60 equidistantly on each sideof the center line of the central member 52, which is likewise the center line of a set of teeth arranged in the articulator'. The support rod 48 is extended on each side of the support 50, and is mounted at its ends in vertical standards 72 which are telescopically extensible and retractable in tubular lower sections 74 which are adapted to rest on the base 10, thereby rigidly but adjustablysupporting the support element 50 on the base 10. By means of the adjustable standards 72 the height of the rear end of the resilient plate 42 may be varied as desired and still maintain the plate in a level longitudinal position. The guide rods 60 are each provided with a pair of spaced openings 76 though whichpins 78 may be inserted pointing toward the ridge 80 of a denture plate model temporarily placed in the movable articulator member as a guide in adjusting the guide rods angularly and rectilinearly to conform to theangle and spacing of the rows of teeth obtainedfrom the patient. The resilient plate 42 .is provided with a longitudinal row of slots 82. Connectors 84 are arranged to engage the surface of the plateon one side and extend through the end slots toward the movable articulator member 12. They are also provided with longitudinally ali ned openings 86. A relatively large disk 88 is seated over the central slot 82 and is provided with a connector 39 which contacts the surface'of the disk outwardly from the plate and-is provided on theother side of the plate with an opening 90in alignment with the openings 86. Arod 92 is insertable through the openings referred to. This rod is also insertable through openings 9 in vertical members 96, which are provided with adjustable screw extension sections 98 whichare detachably connected to a yoke member 100, which is adapted to contact the surface of the movablearticulator member 12 on the opposite side from said resilient plate, so that any movement of the movable member will be transmitted through the connections mentioned to the resilient plate to form the desired curves according to the condylar inclination set up on the artificial condyle. Such movements are vertical, frontal and lateral, as will hereinafter be more fully explained. The connectors 84 control the forrnation of the transverse curve in the resilient plate 42 corresponding to the occlusal plane and the anterior comporient and the disk 83 controls the curve corresponding to the lateral thrust. In some persons the lateral thrust exists wholly, orto a greater degree on one side. For such conditions one side of the disk 58 may be cut away as indicated at 192.

Various means may be used for temporarily securing the artifiicial bicuspids and molars to the curved plate before transfer to the base plate in the model carried by' the hinged articulator member 14. One device for that purpose is shown in enlarged detail in Fig. 13. Flat springs 104 are carried by toothed racks 106 which are reciprocally mounted in housings 1%, each having a pinion 110 connecting the two racks so that both will move in opposite directions when one ismoved manually. O ne housing accommodates the springs for the bicuspids or molars on each side of the center line ofthe denture.

Each housing is mounted on a bar 112 which is manna able upon a threaded post 11 carried by the bar 52 The bar 112 is locked in position by a nut 116, The bar is provided with a flanged ridge 118 which engages notches 120 in the sides of the housings 163 to render the housings and springs laterally adjustable to the correct position to afford proper engagement of the springs 104 with the corresponding teeth. With this arrangement the housings with their pairs of oppositely extending springs can conveniently be shifted for correct engagement with a corresponding tooth.

As is well known in the art, conventional artificial dentures include in the upper and lower plates, respectively, four bicuspids 122, four molars 124 and six teeth 126' comprising the anterior component. In Figs. 1 and 2 the bicuspids and molars are shown in full lines on the resilient plate and the anterior component in dotted lines. In the upper hinged member 14 the bicuspids and molars are shown in full lines and the anterior component in full lines. As previously stated, the function of the structure illustrated and described in combination with an articulator having an artificial condyle is to form a curve or curves in the resilient plate corresponding to the condylar inclination of a patient for whom a set of artificial dentures is to be made. It has also been explained that the artificial condyle operates in cooperation with the movable member of the articulator, irrespective of whether the upper member or the lower member is movable. In the particular design of articulator illustrated the lower member is the movable one and the resilient plate is curved to conform to the slight convexity of the occlusal surfaces of the rows of a set of upper teeth. When the plate is curved to correspond to a set of lower teeth, with a movable upper member it is curved in inverse relation, that is with a slight concavity of the occlusal surfaces to correspond to a set of lower teeth. Accordingly, the arrangement of the resilient plate and its actuating elements is the same in either case, except in relatively reverse order.

As previously mentioned, the first step in the operation of establishing the plane of occlusion, the lateral thrust and the anterior component is to level the base 10 and the frame 50 longitudinally. First, however, the required horizontal plane of the resilient plate is established by means of placing denture models, made in ac cordance with the protrusion of the jaw of the individual patient, in the upper and lower articulator members, establishing the lip line corresponding to that of the patient and adjusting the resilient plate according to the measurements obtained from the patient. The plane of the flat resilient plate may be varied by means of the adjustable vertical members 72 and 74 when it is found that the molars will project outwardly an unusual distance from the denture plate. After the support has been leveled, a model of a denture plate, shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2 is left in the movable member 12. The pins 78 are then inserted through the openings 76 of the guide rods 60, and the rods aligned with the ridge 8!) of the model, shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2, making allowance in outward rectilinear adjustment for arranging the bicuspids and molars to contact the inner surfaces of the rods and still have those teeth centered on the ridge 80. The rods are then locked in rigid position by means of the nuts 62. The model is then removed from the movable member 12 and the resilient plate 42 placed on the support 50. The yoke 100 is next adjusted back of the movable member 12, as shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and and connected to the resilient plate by means of the rod 92 and the connecting elements illustrated. The front end of the movable articulator member 12 is then forced downwardly and anchored in a downwardly extended position by means of a spring 128 which is of sufiicient strength to overcome the springs 32 which normally hold the pintles 18 against the closed end of the slot 20 with the rear portion of the movable member 12 against a stationary portion of the base 10. As seen in Fig. 2, this moves the incisive post 38 forwardly and downwardly and the cup 40 limits the downward movement of the member 12. The front end of the member 12 is then manually lifted against the spring 128, and a spacer 130, having a handle 132, is inserted between the rear end of the member 12 and the stationary portion of the base 10.

Assuming that the artificial condyle of the articulator has, previous to the precedure described above, been set to correspond to the condylar inclination, or inclinations, obtained from a patient, the last mentioned action in cooperation with the pintles 18 and slots 20 will force the movable member 12 into the correct downward and outwardly extended position to cause the connectors 84, and the disk 88 to force the resilient plate into the slightly curved formations between the rods 46 and 48 corresponding to the condylar inclination recorded on the articulator. It should be understood that for purposes of distinct illustration the curved forms, as shown in the drawings are exaggerated.

After the occlusal plane, the lateral thrust and the curve of the anterior component have been established in the curves of the resilient plate 42, as described, the anterior component is lightly attached to a model in the hinged, but otherwise nonmovable member 14, by means of wax and brought down to the plate and adjusted centrally of the bar 52. The anterior component is used as a guide in placing the first bicuspids on the curved plate, after which the member 14 is returned to the position shown in Fig. 2. After all the bicuspids and molars have been properly assembled and clamped on the curved resilient plate with the occlusal surfaces toward the plate, a mass of wax, or the like, 134 is placed on the teeth receiving edge of the baseplate 136 in the member 14, and said member brought down on its hinge and the wax forced over the base ends of the bicuspids, and molars, thereby transferring them in properly assembled relation, with respect to alignment and planes to the base plate. Thereafter the processing of the teeth maintains the assembled order established by the procedure described. It will be seen that the central connector 89 projects through a slot 138 in the bar 52, thereby affording freedom of movement of the disc parallel with the bar.

As previously mentioned the apparatus and operational procedure described in the foregoing specification in the making of complete artificial dentures is equally well adaptable to the proper setting of teeth in partial dentures, according to the condylar inclination of the patient for whom the partial dentures are to be made.

In Figs. 16 to 19, inclusive, are shown two other methods of utilizing my invention in the proper setting of teeth in artificial dentures in accordance with the occlusal plane, the lateral thrust and the curve of the anterior component established in the resilient plate 42, as heretofore described.

As illustrated in Fig. 16, after the proper curves have been formed in the resilient plate 42 in accordance with the plane of occlusion, the lateral thrust and the curve of the anterior component, as obtained from the person for whom artificial dentures are to be made, a molding 140 may be made by placing a mold consisting of a shell 142 over the curved resilient plate 42, with the upper articulator member 14 resting on the top of this shell. This shell is then filled with cement or other plastic material, either transparent or opaque, which can be inserted through the opening 41 in the articulator member, thereby forming a convex bottom surface 144 corresponding precisely to the top concave surface of the plate 42. The molding 149 may then be secured in the articulator memher by means of a pin 43 conventionally associated with articulator members for securing a denture model therein. With the embodiment of the invention described above the artificial teeth, consisting of the molars 122, bicuspids 124 and anterior component 126 are set directly in the base plate 137 of the lower denture model, as shown in Fig. 17. With the embodiment shown in Fig. 16, the procedure of setting the teeth in the base plate 137 includes first coating the ridge of the base plate with wax 146 and then lifting the molding 140'on the hinge of the articulator member 14 a sufficient distance to permit the insertion of the six teeth of the anterior component in the proper central location, with the root or base ends of the teeth in the wax and their occlusal surfaces facing outwardly. The molding 140 is then lowered against the faces of the teeth until the articulator member comes to its conventional stop. The curved contact surface 144 will press each tooth to its proper depth in the wax 146. The other teeth of the plate are set one by one in the same manner. The molding 140 may then be removed from the articulator member and preserved until the individual patient requires another set or a partial set of artificial dentures, when the mold ing can beused to establish the plane of occlusion, lateral thrust and the curve of the anterior component for the new dental work without the necessity of repeating the initial procedure based upon the condylar inclination of the, patient, thereby greatly reducing the time required in making subsequent dentures or repairs.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 17 to 19 is generally similar in construction and substantially identical in use with that shown in Fig. 16, but it is provided with additional advantageous features including that of adjustability. Referring to Fig. 17, a template 148 may be molded from transparent plastic material, which enables the dentist or technician to see therethrough when contactis made with the ends of the teeth to insure that they are not tipped over. The molding 140 is removed from the upper articulator member and used as a pattern in forming the curved surface 159 corresponding precisely to the curved surface of the resilient plate 42, and conforming to the plane of occlusion, lateral thrust and the curve of the anterior component obtained from a patient, as previously described. This template has a boss 152 opposite the curved surface 150, and in this boss is fixedly mounted a stem 153 which projects upwardly through the opening 41 of the upper articulator member 14. The stem 153 is in two sections which are coupled together by a universal joint 154 which permits angular adjustment of the template 148 in any direction. The sections may be locked in adjusted position by any suitable means, such as the set screw 155. On top of the articulator member 14 is a slidable plate 156 which also has a boss 153 through which the stem 153 slidably projects, and maybe secured in fixed position by a set screw 159. A hand knob 160 is threaded, or otherwise suitably secured to the outer end of the stem 153. The plate 156 is provided with a slot 162 and is adjustably secured to the top of the articulator member 14. by means of screws 164 and nuts 166. The plate 156 may be adjustedinwardly and outwardly to compensate for variations ,in jaw protrusions of patients.

The stem 153 and its bearing opening in plate 156 may be square or otherwise arranged to maintain the ,having substantially the same condylar inclinations.

Compensation for slight differences in jaw protusion of various patients can easily be effected by adjusting the angle of the template 148 on the joint 154 of the stem 15,3, andcooperable adjustment of the plate 156 in which the stem is mounted. Although it is convenient to utilize the articulator member 14 and the plate 156 for adjustable mounting of the template 148, this template can be hingedly and adjustably mounted on other parts of the articulator. By a reversal of the positions of the articulator members either of the embodiments of 1 my invention illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17 may be used for setting artificial teeth in the base plate 136 of the upper denture model instead of the base plate 137 of the lower denture model. However, in, such use the resilient plate would have a convex curve, and the tooth contact surface of the molding 140 or the template 148 would be concave, instead of convex.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs.

20 to 22, the resilient plate 42 is inserted in a pair of transversely spaced and longitudinally grooved bars 172, to the ends of which are attached links 174. These links are attachable by suitable means, such as screws 176, to opposite edges of the upper articulator member 14. A plate 173, similar to the plate 156 (Fig. 17), is slidably mounted on the upper articulator member by means of the slot 161, screws 164 and nuts 166, in the same manner as plate 156. However, the central boss 180 of the plate 178 is arranged to receive and indicate the extent of vertical movement therethrough of a stem 132, to the lower end of which is swivele d a disc 184. To this disc is rigidly attached longitudinally extending rods 186, the functions of the disc and rods being the same a's those of the disc 83 and hangers 84, illustrated in Fig. ll, the rods being for the purpose of forming a curve longitudinally of the resilient plate 4;, corresponding to the plane of occlusion of a patient, and the disc being designed to form a curve corresponding to the lateral thrust of the teeth of said patient.

As indicated by the parallel dotted lines in Fig. 8, when the pintles 18 move outwardly in the inclined slot 29, corresponding to the condylar inclination obtained from a patient, these pintles also descend vertically a definite distance for any angle of condylar inclination. The greater the angle of condylar inclination, the greater will be the distance of vertical downward movement of the pintles, which carry the lower articulator member 12. Therefore it is possible, by means of an articulator of the type illustrated, to establish the extent of downward vertical movement of the lower, or the movable, articulator members, the movement of the disc 134 and rods 186 being thesame, in forming the curves corresponding to the planes of occlusion, lateral thrust and the curve of the anterior component as obtained from a patient, and employ other means, either connected with or apart from an articulator for forming the required curves, without the use of the spacer 131) (which spacer is shown in Fig. 1 holding the lower articulator member in forward position), and without the use of the adjustable supporting elements illustrated in Figs. 12 and 14. i

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 20 to 21 is designed to form the required curves in the resilient plate corresponding to various angles of condylar inclination, and for the use of the curved plate in the same general manner as the template 148 (Fig.17) in setting teeth in a denture model. In the embodiment illustrated itisto be assumed that the vertical downward movement of the middle and central portion of the resil-' ient plate 42 required for each degree of condylar inclination, of any individual, has been determined, by means of an articulator of the type having an artificial condyle, and calibrated on the stem' 132. In the embodiment shown, the stem is provided with screw threads 188 having a pitch corresponding to the vertical movement of the disc 184 and rods 186 of one degree of condylar inclination. By means of these. threads engaging the boss 13% the proper vertical movement is controlled by'the number of turns of the stem. Obviously, other means of calibration and vertical movement of the stem may be employed, such, for example, as a rack and pinion or a slidable stem with calibrations and a set screw to lock the stern in vertically adjusted position when the desired curves have been formed in the resilient plate 42. The convex curved face of the resilient plate is used to contact the teeth 122424 and126 and press them into the wax 146 according to the curves of the resilient plate. The resilient plate can be laterally adjusted by means of the slidable plate 178. It can also be vertically adjusted by means of the slots in the links 174, through which the screws 176 project. The swivel connection of the stem permits any desired angular adjustment of the curved resilient plate. The links 174, plate 178 and stem 1S2 can be adapted for cooperation with the lower articulator member to form an upwardly facing, convex surface in the resilient plate for setting teeth in the upper, instead of the lower, denture model, if desired. In either arrangement, the curved resilient plate can be used in forming a molding such as molding 140, and making a template such as template 148. For making a molding from the curved resilient plate, the hangers 174 may be connected to any type of stationary support, instead of an articulator member.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the resilient plate 42 may be used for arranging the teeth in artificial dentures on the curved surface of the resilient plate, irrespective of whether the surface is concave or convex, or in making moldings or templates for use in setting teeth in either the upper or lower denture models, in various specific structures cooperative with said resilient plate.

Although the structure of the articulator and the connections between the resilient plate 42, for curving said plate have been described as illustrated, there are various types of articulators provided with artificial condyles, some constructed for the lower member to be movable, and others for the upper member to be movable, all of which are equally well adapted for use in connection with my invention. Also various changes in the details and arrangement of the operating elements of my occlusal plane recorder may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. For example, While it is essential to use the resilient plate in cooperation with an articulator having an artificial condyle in determining the vertical movement of the elements which contact the resilient plate in forming a series of curves corresponding to the plane of occlusion, lateral thrust and curve of the anterior component, the means for forming such curves and setting of the teeth in artificial denture models may be embodied in other structures differing from any articulator. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments of my invention shown and described are intended to be illustrative only, and not limited to such construction.

I claim:

1. An occlusal plane recorder comprising, in combination, a pair of transversely spaced elongated supports, a fiat resilient plate enga eable withsaid supports and vertically movable means engaging said plate to effect a predetermined curve in said plate between said supports.

2. An occlusal plane recorder comprising, in combination with an articulator of the type having a movable member and an adjustable artificial condyle cooperable with said movable member, a flat resilient plate mounted upon said articulator opposite said movable member and means engaging said plate and actuated by said movable member for forming a predetermined curve in said plate.

3. An occlusal plane recorder comprising, in combination with an articulator of the type having a movable member and an adjustable artificial condyle cooperative with said movable member, .a fiat resilient plate mounted upon said articulator opposite said movable member, and means carried by said plate cooperable With said movable member for forming a predetermined curve in said plate.

4. An occlusal plane recorder comprising, in combination with an articulator of the type having a movable member and an adjustable artificial condyle cooperable with said movable member, a support mounted upon said articulator, a resilient plate mounted upon said support opposite said movable member, and means engaging said plate and actuated by said movable member for forming a predetermined curve in said plate.

5. An occlusal plane recorder comprising, in combination with an articulator of the type having a movable member and an adjustable artificial condyle cooperable with said movable member, a support mounted on said articulator, a resilient plate mounted upon said support opposite said movable member, means engaging said plate and actuated by said movable member for forming a predetermined curve in said plate, and guide means adjustably mounted on said support opposite the plane occupied by said plate for aligning artificial teeth in angular horizontal relation on said plate.

6. An occlusal plane recorder comprising, in combination with an articulator of the type having a'movable member and an adjustable artificial condyle cooperable with said movaible member, a flat resilient plate mounted upon said articulator opposite said movable member, and means engaging said plate and actuated by said movable member for forming two predetermined curves in said plate.

7. An occlusal plane recorder comprising, in combination with an articulator of the type having a movable member and an adjustable artificial condyle cooperable with said movable member, a flat resilient plate mounted upon said articulator opposite said movable member, means engaging said plate and actuated by said movable member for forming a predetermined curve in said plate, and adjustable means carried by said articulator for clamping loose bicuspids and molars against said plate.

8. An occlusal plane recorder comprising, in combination with an articulator of the type having an adjustable artificial condyle cooperable with said movable member, a flat resilient plate mounted upon said articulator opposite said movable member, means engaging said plate and actuated by said movable member for forming a predetermined curve in said plate, and means carried by a hinged, otherwise unmovable, member of said articulator for transferring bicuspids and molars arranged on said plate to a denture model in said other member in the precise arrangement of said teeth on said plate, with respect to curves and horizontal angular alignment of said teeth.

9. An occlusal plane recorder according to claim 5 in which said guide means comprises a pair of angularly adjustable rods being provided with at least two spaced apertures for insertion therethrough of pins for alignment with the ridge of a base plate inserted in the movable articulator member, and means for locking said rods in adjusted angular position.

10. An occlusal plane recorder according to claim 5 in which said guide means comprises a pair of rod holders carried by one end of said support, said holders having graduations thereon, a bar carried by the other end of said support, said bar having graduations thereon, a guide rod mounted in each of said holders, means carried by said holders for affording relative rectilinear spacing and angular adjustment of said rods, each of said rods having at least two spaced apertures for insertion therethrough of pins for alignment with the ridge of a plate model inserted in the movable articulator member, and each rod having a depending pin at its outer end for cooperation with the graduations on said bar.

11. An occlusal plane recorder according to claim 7 in which said means for clamping the bicuspids and molars to said plate consist of longitudinally and laterally adjustable fiat springs carried by said support, the outer ends of said springs being engageable with artificial teeth arranged upon said plate.

12. An occlusal plane recorder comprising in combination with an articulator of the type having a movable member and an adjustable artificial condyle cooperable with said movable member, a support mounted upon said articulator, a pair of horizontally extending, laterally spaced rods on and projecting radially from said support and movable member, a fiat resilient plate mounted on said rods to abut their outer edges, and means engaging said plate and actuated by said movable member for forming a predetermined curve in said plate between said rods.

13. An occlusal plane recorder according to claim 2 and including means for locking the movable articulator member in an outwardly extended position, as required for effecting and fixing the curved condition of said plate, 1 V

14. An occlnsal plane recorder according to claim 13 of a coating of wax on the teeth receiving surface of a in which the means for locking the movable articulator base plate in said model. member in an outwardly extended position consists of a spacer insertable between the lower rear portion of said Refemilcfis Cited in the l f this patent member and the stationary portion of said articulator. 5 UNETED STATES PATENTS 15. An occlusal plane recorder according to claim 8 7 in which the means carried by the hinged member of gg i 6 the articulator for transferring bicuspids and molars from a said plate to the denture model in said member consists 

